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5 Tips to Make Your Gator Board Signs Stand Out
Signage is part of everyday life. When you drive down the street, you see many road signs indicating the speed to use or giving directions. The fact is you can’t escape it. In the workplace, there are many health and safety signs to guide employees and visitors. When shopping for groceries, the store is littered with signage detailing opening and closing hours, discounts and great deals. In the mall, you are confronted with signage giving directions on which store to find where. The list of signs in everyday life is endless.

Signage serves many purposes, including marketing a business or product, enticing customers to visit a store, offering directions, promoting health and safety, and enhancing the appearance of a space. Nowadays, many types and forms of signage have come up to meet businesses’ and consumers’ signage needs. Among the prominent ones are gator board signs that offer businesses the ideal way to market themselves and accomplish other purposes.

What are gator board signs?

Gator boards are display boards made from rigid foam core that combines lightweight with durability to meet your signage needs. Gator board signs come in different sizes and shapes to give you what you are looking for. You can use gator board signs for your display purposes ranging from product displays to professional logos. Also, gator board signs are ideal for wall displays because they can be mounted, directional signage, and used for decorative purposes.

Although gator board signs have a similar appearance with other propped signage, they have various traits that make them unique and different from other signage. Here are some of them.
- They have greater sturdiness.
- The quality of gator board signs is unsurpassed and noticeable when handling and hanging.
- Durable to last up to 2 years when handled and stored well.
- Resistant to bending, breaking, and scratching.
- They are versatile and can be used for formal and casual spaces.
- Whether you have a frame or not, gator board signs still look fantastic.
- Affordable compared to high-resolution signage.
Design tips to make your gator board signs stand out:

When designing a gator board sign for your business, it is essential to choose your design elements carefully so that it stands out and accomplishes its purpose. Whether a sign is exhibiting your products or services, promoting an offer or discount, or showcasing your business name, the aesthetics and content of the sign are important.

When your sign is aesthetically attractive and conveys the right message, you are assured of its effectiveness. Also, in an era where there are signs everywhere, your sign needs to stand out from the rest. Below are five ways to make your gator board signs stand out in the crowd.

1. Color is king

The color you choose for a gator board sign is crucial. Hence, you should select a color that draws people’s attention to the design. If the sign is exhibiting an offer, the color should attract the attention of customers to it. In many cases, consumers associate your brand with the colors you often use in your signs. Here are some common colors and how to use them.
- Red: what do you feel after seeing the color red? It definitely escalates your breath and blood pressure. You can use the color red for your gator board sign to convey aspects such as speed if, for example, you sell cars. Who doesn’t like speedy cars?
- Purple: this is the color of royalty. You can use the royal color on your signage if you sell luxurious products such as suits and real estate.
- Blue: this color brings a feeling of tranquility and relaxation. If your business deals with products or services related to relaxation and wellness, this is the color to use for your gator board signage. For example, if you run a spa or sell mattress, purple is an excellent color for your signage.
2. Deliver a compelling message

The content that your gator board sign displays is very important. Ask yourself what the main message you want to convey is and then make it compelling. Maybe you want to highlight your business name, a special offer, or launch a new menu. Ensure that the content is catchy, relevant, and memorable.

Avoid too much writing on a sign because it makes it cluttered and clumsy. A short message is better because no one wants to spend much time reading your sign. It should be clear and straightforward.

3. Use images

People are visual beings and respond better to images than text. You can use an image on your gator board sign to convey your message. The image should be clear and visible. Also, it should be connected to your business so that when a customer sees it, they see your business. A logo is a prime example of an image you can use on your sign. It has a connection with your business and promotes brand consciousness.

4. Good print quality

The last thing you want is for your images and text to appear blurry on your gator board sign. Invest in good print quality to ensure that images and text appear in the best way possible. Good print quality makes a sign aesthetic and eye-catching. Also, it complements the quality of gator board. If you want people to look at your sign twice when they walk by, you know the secret.

5. Thoughtful gator board placement

You may have the best sign in your entire neighborhood, but if you don’t choose the right placement, no one will see it. The placement of the gator board sign will influence its effectiveness. Ensure you choose an ideal place to position your sign so that more people see it.

Also, consider elements such as size, shape, height, the direction of the sun, and the effect of weather on signage. If your sign is located in a crowded retail place, what will make it stand out?

Whether you want signage for indoor or outdoor use and business or personal purposes, gator board signs come in handy. Gator board signs are renowned for their lightweight, cost-effectiveness, high-quality prints, and sleek, vibrant look. Poor signage can make your business virtually invisible and damage your credibility, while a well-designed sign can earn you a competitive advantage and make you stand out from the rest. The next time you are creating a gator board sign, use these five tips. The results will amaze you. Contact us for marketing and branding ideas for your business.
June 6, 2019
5 Banner Design Tips to Attract Passing Drivers to Your Store
As the owner of a retail store, your livelihood hinges on your ability to capture the attention of prospects who regularly drive by your store. Hanging a large banner outside your store is one of the best ways to attract the attention of these prospects and convert them into loyal customers. Below are the key reasons why you should use large outdoor banners, along with five banner design tips that will help you lure more traffic than ever to your store.

Why should you use large banners to attract shoppers to your store?

Large banners offer superb utility to owners of retail businesses seeking a cost-effective means of brand promotion. Their versatility and ability to be reused enables users to enjoy a high ROI and an increase in foot traffic. Below are the top five reasons why you should use large banners to attract shoppers to your store.

1) Large banners can be used for a variety of occasions

Large banners are an excellent means of promoting your brand on an everyday basis or for special occasions and holidays. Here are just a few of the many events that you can promote with a large banner:
- Grand openings
- Store anniversaries
- Seasonal sales
- Open houses
- Special promotions
2) They are affordable

Every penny counts when allocating marketing dollars for a small to medium-sized business. Large banners are a good addition to your marketing strategy because they are cost-effective, especially when compared with media advertising or sophisticated marketing campaigns. Top agencies are sometimes willing to offer a discount to companies that purchase one or more banners along with business cards, catalogs, or sales flyers.

3) You can reuse them

Large banners offer an excellent return on your investment because you can use them time and time again. Additionally, some banners offer the ability to print on both sides. This allows you to maximize utility and conserve resources by printing a different message on each side. Your banner can last for years if you store it properly and hang it in a location where it is out of harm’s way.

4) They are versatile

Your storefront is just one of many locations where you can hang a large banner. For example, you can use them at trade shows, professional meetings, flea markets, and local fairs. Just make sure there is plenty of space to hang your banner, and seek permission from event organizers in advance.

5) You can customize them

An experienced commercial printing agency will have the tools and experience required to create a customized banner that effectively conveys your brand. You can request the font of your choice, your favorite color scheme, and even the material of your choice. And you are not limited to a rectangular shape, as a talented graphic design specialist can produce banners of various shapes.

What are some tips to help you design a stellar banner?

Designing an attractive banner for your store sounds like a fairly simple task. But the opposite is actually the case. There are many factors to consider in banner design, and you are responsible for ensuring that you maximize the return on your investment. Here are five tips to help you design a large banner that is impossible to ignore.

1) Keep your message short

The average attention span for human beings has been steadily declining over the years. Today’s consumer has an average attention span of 8 seconds, which is not even as long as the attention span of a goldfish. Accordingly, your banner should be concise, direct, and clear. Avoid lengthy sentences and complicated words, as they can cause drivers to lose interest in your message quickly.

2) Create a banner that is consistent with your branding

Ideally, your banner design should incorporate the personality and feel of your brand. For instance, if your brand is known for its free-spirited, colorful style, then you would not want a black and white banner with a formal message written in calligraphy. Mitch Duckler, Managing Partner of FullSurge, notes that “A consistent positioning helps marketers stay ‘on point’ with regard to messaging and overall experience.”

3) Select a visible hanging location

While this tip may seem rudimentary, many retailers hang banners without noticing that a large tree or other obstruction is limiting their banner’s visibility. Ideally, the location you choose to hang your banner should not have any trees or other obstructions in front of it. And your banner should be positioned high enough to be easily seen over vehicles in the parking lot.

4) Clearly feature your company logo

Consumers may recognize your company logo faster than they recognize your store location. For this reason, it is critical to make sure that your banner design includes your logo. Safa Khudeira, Creative Project Manager for Intechnic, explains the important role of a logo as follows: “The purpose of a logo is to get instant consumer recognition for a company. Essentially, logos are the ‘face’ of a business.”

5) Consider a bi-lingual banner design

Latinos now account for over half the population growth in the United States. And in Houston, there are several districts in which over half of the residents speak Spanish at home. If your store is located in these areas, you may wish to customize your banner to include English and Spanish versions of your message.

What is the best strategy to attract passing drivers to your store?

As outlined above, there are many steps you can take to captivate passing drivers with an eye-catching banner. However, the single best step you can take to grab drivers’ attention is to seek the expertise of an expert in the print fulfillment industry. An industry expert will work with you to create a dazzling banner that is sure to drive traffic directly to your store.

For over a decade, Catdi has been a leader in the printing and graphic design industry. We have a proven track record of success creating large banners for retailers throughout Houston and the surrounding areas. Our attention to detail and ability to complete large projects swiftly has earned the accolades of clients across the greater Houston area. We invite you to contact us to find out why we are the nation’s most trusted full-service printing company. We look forward to helping you increase traffic to your store!
June 3, 2019
Let’s Redefine How You Define Your Business. Business Cards Still Work
As always, first impressions matters, so will a high quality business card do. At Catdi Printing we, offer high quality business cards to our clients ensuring that they do portray a great first impression to their clients. We understand how business cards are a necessary tool for opening communications and actually sealing deals, that’s why we take time in customizing the size, shape, thickness and styling of your card to give your business that extra boost.

Business cards are vital to any business since they help broadcast your name and contacts out there to prospective clients and partners. Being the best firm at Business cards printing in Houston, we offer a personalized touch to your business cards by understanding your nature of business and your potential clients and partners. From designing to finishing, we offer simple yet authoritative 18pt business cards at very budget friendly prices.

When it comes to the quality of the material of your business card, Catdi Printing offers nothing but the best. Our business cards are made of materials that are very durable and still not easily damaged by water. This kind of material, finished with foil work, gloss or matte finish will be a statement that you mean business.

Business Cards

We have a variety of templates that you can choose from, as well as we also consider working with your designs to ensure that your ideas and creativity are implemented.

Our years of experience give us an upper hand when it comes to business card printing. We have a proven track record and a long list of very successful and satisfied businesses that trusted us. We have done business cards for small business owners all the way to well know actors, case in point checkout the business cards we did for David Banks

Why choose us?

In a nutshell, we offer the best at business card printing.
- We provide a variety of coating and stocks
- Print different shapes and sizes
- Fast delivery of your desired cards
- We print quantities ranging from 25 to 100,000 pieces
- Budget friendly
March 18, 2019
Boost Your Professional Image with Pocket Folders
Presentation folders for Small Businesses

Presentation folders do two things for your business. They make your brand stand out from other prin

Make your business shine!

ted materials, and they organize your materials so that your prospects can readily take in all the essential information necessary to make a qualified decision about your offer. Catdi Printing clients in real estate, education have long used them with great success to provide pertinent information about their institutions. We have also helped hundreds of organizations over the years prepare for seminars by printing customized, colorful presentation folders that made them stand out from their competitors. Many of our clients also have sales departments who routinely order presentation folders from us in order to help them negotiate and close important deals.

Presentation folders also known as pocket folders are key to making a good, first impression on any prospective customer. They also remind existing customers of all that you have to offer and help increase repeat business. The very fact that you take the time to organize your materials speaks volumes to your commitment to process and excellence. Professionally designed folders tell the world that you care about every aspect of production and will take care of your customers with equal care and attention.

There are a few essentials that we recommend all clients invest in when designing their folders in order to ensure the best possible impression on their prospects..

Business Card Slots

The business card is the foundational piece for all business transactions. Often, it gets misplaced or even thrown away. In order to make certain your contact information is never lost,. Catdi Printing recommends ordering presentation folders with business card slits. These slits will hold your card so that your prospect is sure to see your name and contact information one more time. That may be all it takes to get the ball rolling and eventually close that deal.

Brochures and booklets.

Brochures and Booklets

We recommend storing brochures and booklets in presentation folders. Both brochures and booklets tend to be small enough that they can easily be misplaced or lost. Keeping these materials consolidated and organized within a standard size folder gives them a better chance of staying together.

Charts and Graphs

If you are using a presentation folder for sales, we recommend that you include charts and graphs. These visuals lend credibility to your sales pitch, and they make it easy for prospects to remember quantities and percentages related to your industry. Posters are a great way to be remembered and help contribute to repeat business.

Pen and Notepad

People still take notes to help themselves remember. Cell phones have not replaced the notepad. Many of our clients will include a pen and notepad in their presentation folders so they can encourage recipients to take notes on the spot. Pens and notepad with your company logo are also like coffee mugs—they have a functional purpose. Prospects will continue to use these pens and notepads long after you leave their building. This will keep your brand before their eyes and your proposition on their mind.

CD Holders

If you are marketing your company with a CD, we can design CD holders into your presentation folders. We can print the CD sleeve for you so that the message stands out and does not get lost.

Presentation folders look more professional and stand out more when they are coated. Different types of coatings create different visual effects that differentiate your materials from the surrounding desk clutter.
- Aqueous coating – uses a water based sealant to prevent colors and text from smudging or smearing
- Gloss coating – creates a smooth, shiny surface
- Matte coating – reduces reflectiveness and cuts down on glare. Soft touch matte coatings make your presentation folder look like suede
- Laminate coating – uses layers of plastic to encase the paper and ink so that it does not get damaged by moisture or spilled liquid. Laminating can be high gloss or matte, depending on the impact you are looking to make.
Catdi Printing designs presentation folders with richly colored designs on both the outside and inside of the folder. We can also customize the folder with any number of pockets and sleeves so that your materials are easily seen, retrieved, and stored in an organized manner. Call today, and talk to Catdi Printing designer about your next seminar, trade show, or sales presentation.
March 4, 2019
The Importance of Quality Printing in Business

By Kathi Scrizzi Driscoll

Over the course of the last few decades printing has become extremely accessible to the general public. Nevertheless, there is a good reason why there are so many printing services today. Although printing at home can be great for personal use, marketing your business requires something only printing services can provide.

Not only will working with a professional printing company ensure you have quality products, but it can also lead you to have a more successful marketing campaign. For example, if you decide to create a direct mail marketing campaign, you can rely on a printing company to provide you with some great tips and design ideas.

By trusting a printing service to do the heavy lifting for you, you can get a high return on investment and position your business on the market. “The duty of a printing company is to help clients execute successful marketing campaigns and provide assistance and support every step of the way. But the backbone of every good campaign is high-quality printing because it helps represent your brand in the best possible light,” notes Carlos de Santos, president of Catdi Printing.

Now, you may be thinking whether direct mail marketing really works in this day and age and if it’s worth the hassle. But despite what you may think, direct mail is far from dead. The average person gets dozens of emails daily, but the number of letters you receive in your mailbox on a regular day is much smaller. Because of this, direct mail is more memorable and likely to convince someone to check out your business. Of course, you will have to print more than just promotional material you send via mail.

Keep in mind that many of your potential customers will get introduced to your business through printed materials like brochures, postcards, banners, business cards, and posters. If they notice poor quality materials and ink, you won’t make a good first impression on them. According to an article published by Forbes, consumers are more engaged when reading printed material compared to reading information on websites.

This means that you will have to use high-quality printing if you want to have high retention rates. After all, you can’t expect a consumer to become interested in the products and services you provide if your promotional material features smudged letters and dull colors. It takes about 10 seconds for a person to make a first impression, which is why quality printing is imperative. This will reflect the standards you set in your company. It shows that you care how you present your business to potential customers.

Know that many consumers will actually take the time to appreciate printed ads as long as they’re clever, which is something that is nearly impossible to achieve when making online ads. Most people don’t even look at ads when they’re online simply because they are everywhere. However, if you provide them with something that they can actually hold, you’ll be more likely to trigger a reaction from consumers. Of course, apart from quality printing and a clever advertisement, you will also need to add value to your promotional material. You can do this by offering consumers a discount or bonus to every person you sent the printed advertisement to.

If you want to have a successful business then you will need to market it properly. Even though digital marketing is a great and cost-efficient way to reach consumers, you’ll get a much higher return on investment if you promote your business through traditional methods as well. But keep in mind that print marketing takes a lot more time and effort and should be planned carefully. Apart from creating a smart and simple message that will grab the attention of consumers, you must also use quality printing in order to give a good first impression of your business.

February 27, 2019
Malware Infected Your WordPress Blog and WordPress Hosting Environment?

Malware Infected Your WordPress Blog and WordPress Hosting Environment? Catdi Can Help

Along with hacking attempts, malware is another common experience these days for website owners. WordPress is one of the world’s most popular web hosting platforms, and that makes it particularly vulnerable. With every passing day, bad actors are finding new ways to create software that automatically exploits holes in security. Malware is particularly rough because it can easily go undetected.

Has your website been acting up or slower than usual?

There are a number of reasons your website experience could be slowing down. The prime concern if this is happening to you is the possible presence of malware. Rest assured, if your website has been slowing down, we can fix the problem no matter what it is. But the presence of malware is very serious, and determining if your website has been infected is priority one.

This is a problem that is very routine, common, and not going away any time soon. Unfortunately, malware is specifically designed to exploit problems in out-of-date software. This can include your main platform as well as plug-ins and features of your website. This requires constant, routine monitoring and updating. Even with these up to date, problems can still occur.

Has your website been getting errors from your browser?

If your website has been generating a number of errors from your browser, it is very likely a malware issue. Of course, you want your pages and site features to load properly regardless, but this may point to malware as the cause. If so, that’s a very serious issue.

Common error messages include a range of messages that indicate no server response, 404’s, that relay that your browser was unable to communicate with the host or specific messages within your website layout about a plug-in or feature. Additionally, you may even receive a message from your anti-virus or anti-malware program on your computer, or the browser itself may refuse to load the website.

Has your host provider quarantined your website?

If your web host has determined that you have been infected, your website will be quarantined. What that means is your website has been shut off to outside access. Just as people are quarantined when they are sick, so too has your website. This means you are losing sales and it projects a poor image. Your website visitors do not want to provide their trust to a website that’s been quarantined.

Obviously, you want to fix this problem immediately, but it does no good to get your website back up and running only to have this happen again. Without the core problems addressed, this is precisely what will happen. Fixing the problem once and not developing a game plan is throwing money away and will eventually destroy your reputation in full.

Fast Turnaround in fixing your website

If you’re suffering any of these problems, you need to act fast to prevent further catastrophic problems to not only your website but your business and its reputation. We take these matters very seriously, and so should you.

By hiring Catdi, A Houston based web design and marketing firm, you’ll get our years of experience in tackling precisely these problems. We pride ourselves on not only getting it done right but getting it done fast. We then provide a game plan to prevent these issues from ever happening again.

You have enough to focus on with your website, so let us handle the technical details of keeping you safe and secure at Catdi.

February 12, 2019
Website Hacked? Catdi is here to help you – FAST

We had to learn this the hard way! It’s unfortunately becoming a common news headline: another website, even that of a major retailer, hacked. Compromised security on a website is no joke: not only can it compromise your information, the information of your customers, and lead to increased costs and decreased revenue, but it also lowers the confidence your customers place in you.

Maybe you’re a major retailer for your area, and your website being hacked could generate headlines. Even if that’s not the case, your customers will surely know. You’ve worked hard to earn your customers, so don’t let a hacking problem grow. Fast, decisive action is necessary, and Catdi is here to help you fast.

We specialize in fixing and updating WordPress websites

When it comes to WordPress, there’s no doubt it’s one of the—if not the—most popular website platforms in the world. It bills itself as easy to use and infinitely customizable. Unfortunately, it does have a lot of problems. The tradeoff for its popularity and vast customization is that it requires constant attention and routine updating.

This creates many opportunities for infiltration by bad actors looking to exploit out-of-date websites, or those not being properly monitored. Yes, hackers specifically will target known vulnerabilities. Not having expert control over your WordPress environment is like a welcome sign on your website for hackers.

We can secure your hosting environment

Thankfully, securing your web host is simple. It requires merely ensuring you have expert, diligent care on hand to monitor for routine updates and exploits. Unfortunately, simple doesn’t mean easy. This is a simple concept that in practice becomes a lot of work. It requires knowing a lot about WordPress and its many plugins, and constantly staying informed.

There is no reason for you to do this hard work yourself. In fact, you shouldn’t. Trust an expert to the technical side of your website, so you can focus on what you do best—getting customers and generating revenue. We’ll make sure that’s all you need to focus on!

We’re pros in fixing and locating issues with your website

Not only are we fluent in WordPress, but we understand its many plug-ins and add-ons. Learning everything you need to prevent successful hacking would require years of experience and training, and ultimately distract you from your goals with your website, such as generating more traffic.

Don’t worry about getting experienced overnight in order to fix your website. Experience comes over time, and successfully diagnosing and fixing WordPress time requires a lot of experience. Luckily, we have that. Don’t stick yourself with taking courses and frustrating yourself over every technical detail. We’ll check for updates and security fixes to your plugins and main platform routinely.

Fast Turnaround

If you’ve suffered a recent breach, don’t worry! Act fast and hire Catdi to fix these issues. The sooner you act, the less damage to your website, customer base, and reputation you’ll sustain. If it’s early enough, we can mitigate the damage almost entirely. So act fast, because your problem is serious!

We’ll act fast, too, and provide an immediate game plan to prevent this from ever happening again. You can rest assured, we fix it once and forever!

You have enough to focus on as a website owner—generating content, marketing, retaining customers, generating revenue—let Catdi keep you secure!

January 2, 2019
Need a WordPress Pro? Don’t forget about your WordPress website as WordPress needs to be updated ALL THE TIME

As we ring in the new year its that time again that we review our marketing efforts and make sure we taking the correct steps in web security. For many business owners, WordPress is an attractive solution to their e-business needs. WordPress is extremely popular, so there are countless plug-ins, themes, extensions, and even online documentation about WordPress. It’s easy to get your website up and running, even if it does require a bit of work and there’s a learning curve. But once it’s up and running, you’ve done it, and now you just need to promote your website!

Not so fast. In reality, because WordPress is one of the most popular web hosts in the world, that means hackers and other bad actors are routinely finding exploits or vulnerabilities in its code. It’s a numbers game—the more popular WordPress, the more hackers it attracts, and then the more successful hackers are in finding problems. The solution is for WordPress to quickly react and issue updates. But do you know how to do that?

Catdi Can Update Your WordPress Website

Catdi has years of experience with WordPress and its many security intricacies. We are constantly monitoring it for news and updates. While this is a complicated issue, this is simply what we do. We can update your blog and keep it updated without the need for you to get distracted from what you do, which should be getting new eyeballs to your website and turning them into customers. Don’t get bogged down in the technical details of website updates.

Catdi Can Update Your WordPress Plugins

Even with an updated WordPress, the individual plugins, because they are made by a number of different programmers and not one core group of engineers, have their own vulnerabilities and constant updates. The number of plugins you’re utilizing on your blog is probably higher than you think! Many blogs have 10, 20, or more plugins. Constantly monitoring all these plugins for updates and security issues would require a ton of work. But we’re experts in this field, and our passion is securing your website, including its plugins.

Catdi Can Design a New Website

Perhaps your website is many years old, and it’s time for an update. Or perhaps you tried to make a website yourself, learning all the hard details and patching together what you could, but you’re just not satisfied. Rather than plug holes on a sinking ship, entrust experts like Catdi to build you a new, beautiful, easy-to-use website from scratch! In doing so, your website will not only get an aesthetic and functional facelift, but we’ll ensure you have zero security concerns. We can do all of this while keeping your existing website content!

Catdi Can Make Your Website a Marketing Tool

Many people realize websites are important, but did you know your website can itself draw customers in? There are many tips and tricks out there, but employing them successfully requires a wealth of knowledge and a lot of trial and error. At Catdi, that’s what we do. We’ll employ the best methodologies to test and deploy features that make your website a magnet for customers.

Catdi Can Provide Resources on Making Your Website Safe and Secure

Catdi wants you to be empowered. That’s why we want you to have a beautiful, functional, safe, and profitable website. We can help you in all of these areas. But we also want you to have the set of keys as well, which is why we give you access to all the resources you need to be in control of your website’s safety and security.

It’s time to take control of your website again. Entrust Catdi with renewing your website and making it a customer magnet, so you can focus on what you do best—running your business.

January 1, 2019
How Sponsoring A Scholarship As a Local Business Can Generate Sales and Goodwill From The Community

We at Catdi Printing believe that you can both help others and at the same time help your business. In fact this is the very reason we created our on Catdi Printing Sponsorship. Our specific sponsorship is geared those that are interested in getting a graphic design or a multi-media degree. Sponsoring a scholarship for a local business can be a great thing to do and it can also help business. Not only will you most likely have the business of the family that have members that have earned the scholarship but also have created a positive image in the community. This is a great marketing opportunity as the scholarship can be associated with helping the community, getting outstanding grades, or a combination of positive factors. This by association can allow the business to be viewed with all of these values. The following are ways that sponsorship a scholarship as a local business is just an all-around great thing to do for business and as a local staple of the community.

Advertising the Scholarship

Market and advertise the scholarship so local students can start working towards it. If you have a website it might make sense to dedicate a page or a post about the specifics of the scholarship. Presentation is very important and you want to build trust. You want to use a professional marketing firm to make flyers and brochures like Catdi Printing :). Refusal to use a professional company can reflect poorly on the company that is providing the scholarship. This can even look illegitimate in some cases as there are far too many pranks like fake scholarship websites. Reach out to principals at local high schools to help get the word out as well. Getting high school students talking about a great opportunity like this can really spread to their parents as well as those in their social circle.

Local Media Attention

The local media loves a company that gives back to the local community regardless of the size of the donation, scholarship, or cost to sponsor a cleanup. Printing companies that are not active in the community and might be a part of a national chain might not have the recognition of a locally based business. People in the community have used this business and some might have worked there at one point or another. Reach out to local media outlets to help spread the word of the scholarship as it will act as free advertising as well as get the word out. Be ready if you are the founder of the business to be interviewed though as a shaky interview can make the media attention less effective as far as boosting sales or goodwill.

Local businesses should give back to the community that support them but it can be a mutually beneficial arrangement when offering a scholarship. Take the time to see what your local community values and offer a scholarship in your company’s name as it will have a great ROI even if done out of charity.

November 1, 2018
Top 5 EDDM Design Tips for Small Business Owners

Using Every Door Direct Mail service helps to attract more customers to your business. As an affordable form of marketing, Every Door Direct Mail or EDDM allows a business to experience a higher ROI and enables customers to take action

The convenience and simplicity of EDDM further contribute to its effectiveness as a marketing strategy. The process involves selecting a specific area or route where the business wants to target, designing eye-catching promotional materials, and submitting them to the USPS for distribution. The USPS then delivers the materials directly to every mailbox within that chosen area, ensuring maximum exposure and visibility.

EDDM program enables customers to take immediate action. By placing compelling offers, discounts, or calls to action on the promotional materials, businesses can entice recipients to engage with their brand. Whether it’s visiting the store, checking out the website, or making a purchase, EDDM provides a direct pathway for customers to interact with the business, increasing the chances of conversions and fostering customer loyalty.

The good news is that there are hundreds of postcard designs. Selecting the appropriate design for your business can be a bit tricky. Lucky for you, we have compiled tips to help you select the right template. Even when you want to design your own EDDM template, the tips below will help you formulate ideas assuring you of success.

Tip #1 – Outline the purpose of your postcard

The first step to take is to craft the purpose of your postcard. This can be achieved by answering the following question – What would you like your postcard to achieve?

Tip #2 – Incorporate your business logo

Yes, you need to incorporate your business logo on your postcard. As a result, it will give your postcard credibility. Don’t forget to add images and the theme colors of your business. To ensure your images are of high quality, opt for high resolution images.

Tip #3 – Choose an appealing design

If you are targeting a specific group of customers, design the EDDM postcard with an appealing design. This will attract the customers to your advertisement.

Tip #4 – Simplify the design

To come up with a design that conveys your message, keep it simple. Avoid adding too much information on the postcard as this makes it difficult for the customer to understand the message being conveyed.

Tip #5 –Print postcards in color

Color brings the message to life. Use contrasting colors to enhance the look of your postcard. There are free EDDM postcards readily available online which you can redesign and print out before sending to your customers.

Lastly, our graphic designers are proficient in incorporating call-to-actions (CTAs) into the design. They will strategically place CTAs that prompt recipients to take the desired action, whether it’s visiting your website, making a purchase, or contacting you for more information. Our designers understand the importance of compelling CTAs and will make sure they stand out and entice the recipients to act.

In conclusion, our seasoned graphic designers are the perfect resource to design your EDDM postcard. Their expertise, attention to detail, and creativity will ensure that your postcards not only look visually stunning, but also effectively communicate your message and drive desired actions. Whether you need a brand-new design or a professional touch on your existing one, our designers are here to bring your vision to life and help you achieve your marketing goals.

October 10, 2018
Business Goal Setting For Achieving Success and Why Catdi Wants to Help You!

Business Goal Setting For Achieving Success and Why Catdi Wants to Help You!

It is important to set goals to ensure success in your business venture. History is replete with instances where faulty business goal setting, or the lack of it, has led to business failure. Your business will go adrift if you do not provide it the right direction. You may set a goal of doubling your sales in six months, but find no progress at the expiry of the deadline.

Goal setting is not all about setting goals and watching your business grow. You will have to have a larger business goal setting strategy in place to achieve success.

The strategy should include a series of resolute actions to give impetus to what you have set out to achieve through your goals. You have to go ahead and make things happen, rather than waiting for things to happen.

Setting Goals the Right Way
Writing down your goals will be the first step to help you steer your business in the right direction. Try to analyze how your goals will affect your clients or customers, and competitors.

Next, perceive the possible hurdles that you are likely to face in achieving your goals. Mark them out and see what you can do about them. Lack of finances and inadequate staff can put you off track. You need not be very rigid about your goals, as flexibility provides you with an opportunity to revise the goals according to business constraints.

Make sure that the goals are practical and achievable, given the resources at hand. Your next important step will be to determine the series of actions you intend taking in attaining the goals. You will also have to develop plans to overcome the constraints and find solutions related to issues concerning your goals. Make sure that you take steps one at a time and review your progress periodically.

The process of business goal setting and concerted efforts in the right direction to achieve it will certainly ensure business success.

July 19, 2018
Direct Mail Postcards… Designing Your Mini Billboard

Direct Mail Postcards… Your Mini Billboard
One of the cheapest ways to do direct mail marketing is to use direct mail postcards by Catdi Printing.

We love direct mail postcards (simply put) and here are easy ways to get them designed.

Direct mail postcards are like mini billboards! They are great ways to get receiver’s attention, so they will act on your marketing message. Be sure you always include as much contact information as you can, remembering that not everyone is online. Some do not have long distance phone service and others want to contact you through postal mail so having the right information is key.

Designing the Postcards
Add graphics or photos that are related to your promotion and use the same rules as you use for writing basic display ads. Direct mail postcards are one of the best bargains today in direct mail marketing and should never be overlooked! While we recommend that you have us or a professional graphic designer to design your piece there are free graphic design apps like Canva if you want to skimp of design.

In addition another great way to avoid a design fee is if you belong to a MLM program many times they will offer you postcards already designed for a small fee. You may have to add your own code to be sure you get credit when someone responds to the offer. If you plan to design your post card for a MLM program you belong to, be sure to get approval before you have them printed as some companies have rules regarding such creations. However our printing rates are more than likely cheaper….

When you design direct mail postcards yourself, be certain you use a size that fits into the guidelines of the postal service at www.usps.com. You don’t want to have them too large unless you are willing to pay the higher postal rate. Don’t worry we can help with this. You can also design postcards with such programs as, Adobe, Ms Publisher, MyMailList, Print Shop and others.

Of course, your mailing list for your post cards is vital, and you can find out more about that by going to our mailing list website page.

It is very easy to attach your mailing labels and postage stamps to your new post cards while you are watching TV, waiting for an appointment or simply relaxing.One of the things to remember is to be consistent when you design your postcards. If you can only afford to mail out 500 a week that is okay! Just be sure to do it every week to be consistent and generate regular sales which means income for you!
Recommended Resources same price.

Be Patient…
Be sure to have some patience, as often people do not respond immediately to direct mail marketing, no matter what is being offered, or how. Also it may take the MLM you belong time to give your credit for your referrals. This gives you time to keep mailing and try different postcard designs to see which one works best for you!

July 18, 2018
Going the Extra Mile for Your Customers – The Catdi Printing Difference

Going the extra mile for your customers requires you to offer something extraordinary to them that they did not expect from you. This definitely gives you more business. If you want to achieve your goals in business, putting 100 % of your capacity is not enough. You have to perform little extra to outperform others. Its hard work to do this consistently but the pros at Catdi Printing are dedicated to making sure your job turns absolutely amazing. However it is what motivates us the same time.

What distinguishes successful people from others? Most people do what they want to do. On the other hand, successful people do what is needed to accomplish the goals.

Do It with a Smile
When you enter a store to buy something, you find the employees with sad faces, without showing any desire to attend to you. How would you react? Chances are, you would leave without buying a single item. On the contrary, smiling faces with zeal and innate desire to attend to the customer makes environment conducive for buying. Same rules apply to the online business too. Put an extra effort while designing your website. Make procedure for taking orders very easy. Customers are happy with as minimum the number of clicks as possible, to get information about your product or service.In online businesses, visitors to your website expect free information. Make your website user friendly. This makes you more credible and reliable. Nothing can impress potential customer more than free and forthright information.

Happy Customers at Catdi Printing! 🙂

Delivery also needs to be very fast. Customers should be able to receive the products without any delay, after making payments. Offer the option of how he would like the product to be shipped. A complaining customer is an opportunity, if you wish to go that extra mile. Attend to him with a smile on your face. Solve his problems at the earliest possible. Thank him for bringing the complaint to you.

This converts an unsatisfied customer into a person who has faith in you. His word of mouth praise may bring in many potential customers.

About the Author
Carlos deSantos is a leading direct response marketing expert who works with businesses by improving their online and offline performance. Learn how to improve your marketing with the help personal and business development. Call Catdi Printing today to learn more how we can help your business in all print and web marketing needs.

July 18, 2018
Designing Printed Material For Different Platforms

An Interesting Read especially if you love history!

Despite what many people are claiming, print media is still a mainstay in today’s society. We may have heard of some publishing companies and magazines that are getting bankrupt and are switching to the online platform, but don’t fret, there are still newspapers and magazines that are standing strong despite today’s economy. Print media has existed for centuries, with it taking a large leap in the 13-1400s, with the invention of the printing press in Europe. The invention allowed the printing of books on a mass scale, as the books in the past were manuscripts (books that were written by hand) that not only had words, but also fancy artwork and stylish texts that took too long to write and were not really mass produced. The method of the printing press was simple; take a metal block of letters with ink, place firmly them on a tablet, then stick the block on the paper and you have a printed page. The way they designed printed material in the past was pretty simple, and we still make use of it today, just take a quick look on one of the books on your study table in order to find out. Designing printed material is now a major, multi-million business, with tons of competitors popping out in the past decades. Books and one page pamphlets were the only printed material centuries ago, but now, we have not only newspapers and magazines, but also large scale format prints like billboards, banners and signage. Smaller ones include brochures, leaflets and newsletters. The material in which they are printed has also changed, from fragile paper and expensive parchment; large format prints have effectively made use of fabrics and tarpaulins. There may be a lot of ways of designing these materials, but here are some useful tips and tricks on easily getting your message across.

In designing small formats, go with what is proven effective. Small format prints are just usually bite-sized pieces of paper with text or graphics printed on them. These include brochures and leaflets. These are mainly utilized as small advertising tools that are being handed out to potential customers – usually people who are passing by. The best way to design these materials is by implementing a straightforward design. An image and a bunch of text clumped together would do wonders. Immediately state your intentions, the product you are promoting and where you can avail it.

Newspapers and Magazines. Mass produced newspapers and magazines are the first forms of mass media in the world, followed by the radio five centuries later. In designing these materials, of course, you should go by the rules and these are mostly journalistic concepts and rules. These usually need the help of a professional journalism layout artist, so be sure to avail of that service.

Large scale prints. These take the form of banners, billboards and signage. Creating, designing and printing large scale graphics takes a lot time and brain power, since you have to create a lot of new branding and advertising strategies. In designing these materials, be sure to be able to emphasize the product along with logo along with the brand name. Also remember that you are not printing on a paper-like material, you are going to place the content on a fabric or a tarp.

July 18, 2018
9 Envelope Printing Tips Guaranteed to Get Your Mail Opened

A common problem with sending mail is actually getting it opened by the recipient. Click here to discover 10 envelope printing tips to get your mail opened.

What if you’re sending mail that is never being opened by the recipient? People receive stacks of mail every day. A lot of it doesn’t even get opened. This is expensive and a waste of time. But what if you can ensure that when you send mail, the receiver is compelled to open it?

With these envelope printing tips, you can guarantee your mail gets opened. Let’s take a look!

1. Request Samples

Before you design an envelope that is guaranteed to get opened, you need to find a printing company to take your order. 🙂

At Catdi Printing we would be happy to provide you with sample envelopes with your design. Make sure to request samples with different types of envelopes. Usually most of the envelopes we print are #9 and #10 envelopes.

It’s especially important to also consider the texture of the design and the envelope. After all, this can make all the difference to determining whether the letter gets opened by the recipient. Some of these envelopes are very expensive and we can’t source them directly from the manufacturer. Also here are some envelopes templates that you can use

2. Customize Your Envelopes

Another option to make your envelopes stand out on the kitchen table is to customize your envelopes. Embossing the letters of your logo or the recipient’s name can really convey a sense of quality.You could also try UV coating to add a shine to your envelopes. This is sure to catch the eye of your recipients.

While it may be expensive, but there’s nothing more irresistible than a silk linked envelope exterior. This will make your recipient feel like royalty.

3. Printing Styles

Before you have your envelope printing, it’s important to consider the three main styles of printing. Take some time research the different styles before deciding which one is most suitable for you.

Off-set Printing

Offset printing, is a printing technique in which the logo or labeling is transferred onto a pre-made envelope. You can also use offset printing to print onto flat sheets of paper. Afterwards, the paper sheets can be made into an envelope.

Flexographic Printing

Often referred to as flexo printing, flexographic printing is carried out in the conversion process from paper to envelope. Unlike the offset approach, flexo printing uses a plastic printing plate rather than a metal one.

Digital Printing

The final printing method to mention is digital printing. Digital printing is best used for non complicated and simply colored envelopes. But they’re also not the most appropriate if you want to print in large quantities.

5. Always Include Your Logo

Your logo is a key part of your brand identity.

It’s essential to include your company logo on the envelope printing. By placing it on the exterior of the envelope you provide the recipient with something concrete by which to recognize you. It also serves as another form of advertisement and exposure. After all, the envelope could be viewed by many eyes before it reaches its destination.

6. Choose Colors Carefully

If you imagine a stack of letters, what color would they mostly be? Yes, the answer is always white. But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can design a letter using any color you like. Remember that different colors have different associations and meanings for people. Yes, of course, it’ll cost a little extra. But this could be a worthwhile investment to make sure your envelope is opened immediately. You should also consider which colors to choose. You may want to choose colors that are in line with your brand colors. If your logo is blue, then it wouldn’t make sense to have a red envelope.

7. Consider Texture and Weight

Before you start envelope printing there’s the paper to consider. The texture and weight of the paper is often an afterthought for many people. However, it can make a huge difference to whether the letter is opened or not. You know the feeling of getting a letter with a special texture. You always want to open it first, don’t you. The same goes for a heavier paper that marks the letter as quality. Everybody notices a letter printed in a weighty envelope.

8. Keep Regulations in Mind

There’s is no point designing the most spectacular envelopes that won’t ever be delivered. There are regulations that you need to consider when designing your envelopes. It’s important to research this before you get started on the design. After all, this is the limitations of your creativity. Regulations can include the requirement to make sure there is a space on the top right corner for the postage stamp. Without this space, the envelope certainly won’t find the recipient.You should also avoid artwork or design elements in the center of the envelope because the address needs to be clear to the postal service.

9. Think of Your Target

Who are you sending your letters to? This is an important question to ask yourself when designing your envelopes. After all, different groups have different tastes.

If the recipients of your envelopes are normally older generations, you may consider a more traditional style of the envelope.

However, if you’re trying to appeal to younger people, you need to inject a sense of fun and joy into your design. Call the printing pros at Catdi Printing at 713 882 4629.

July 17, 2018
New Print Sizes Compatible With the USPS EDDM Program

Catdi Printing Announces New Print Sizes Compatible With the USPS EDDM Program

Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is a direct mail marketing solution offered by the U.S. Postal Service, and it allows businesses to target a neighborhood, zip code, mailing route or other local area and saturate the area with mail. Due to its low cost and effectiveness, it has quickly become an invaluable tool for direct mail marketers. Catdi Printing, a top source for Houston Promotional Items, has announced new print sizes compatible with EDDM in order to help businesses in the Houston area take advantage of the program.

According to company spokesperson Carlos deSantos, businesses can target a local area with EDDM for just $0.18 per piece of mail. “This is a significant cost savings,” said deSantos, “and we want to help our customers access this new and exciting approach to direct mail campaigns. That’s why we are now providing postcard print sizes that meet EDDM specifications.

Of course, size isn’t the only consideration, deSantos went on to explain. “For any direct mail campaign to be successful, it’s crucial that businesses send out mailings with high-quality graphic design and printing. We work with our clients to ensure that our graphic design meets their needs by representing their brand, making a strong visual impact, and targeting their desired market. We make sure that each direct mail campaign is unique, and we only use the best materials from Houston Top Promotional Brands. Our high-quality products motivate customers to respond.”

In addition to designing and printing materials for direct mail campaigns, Catdi Printing also offers web design services. Their web design team utilizes WordPress to design websites and blogs for customers. The versatility of WordPress makes it ideal as a content management system, and many clients are able to get started with the free version of the software. Keeping costs low for customers is a priority of Catdi Printing, according to deSantos.

Customers who are looking for the best in Houston Promotional Items for their print and direct mail campaigns can find what they need at Catdi by visiting their online store, browsing their services, and requesting a free quote. Concluded deSantos, “We hope businesses in the Houston area will consider us for their next EDDM campaign and all their other printing and web design needs. We have a strong commitment to customer service, and we are happy to assist every client in designing the best and most effective marketing materials for their business.”

June 18, 2018
$500 Graphic Design Scholarship Offer From Catdi Printing!
Scholarship Opportunity for Graphic Design Majors

It’s common news that the cost of a quality design education are spiraling upwards, and unfortunately, not everyone can afford one. However, a quality education is important for everyone, and here at Catdi, we are intent on helping the future generations achieve that goal. At Catdi Printing, we place great value on an education and want to help students with the finances needed for their higher studies. Catdi Printing is a Houston based commercial printer and direct mail provider that strives to give back to the community. With this in mind, Catdi Printing is proud to offer our first scholarship, “Catdi Print & Design Scholarship” in the amount of $500. This is designed to assist Graphic Design Majors minoring in business achieve their educational goals.

Scholarship Amount

The scholarship amount is $500 and it will be awarded to one (1) student for their education expenses. Should the winner not respond in 14 days of notification, another student will be chosen.

Who is Eligible for the Scholarship?

We are looking to encourage the growth of the Design field, and looking for Design majors with a practical minor in business. Both Undergraduate Students and Graduate Students can apply for the scholarship program, provided they are enrolled in a full-time degree program in an accredited college or graduate school.

How to Apply for the Scholarship?

Submit your essay (as outlined below) to scholarship@catdi.com. Keep in mind, once submitted, the essay cannot be altered or returned, so proofread carefully before hitting Submit!

Following are the steps to apply for the Catdi Print & Design Scholarship:

Write an essay of 1,000 words describing how you believe quality writing skills will contribute to your future in graphic design. We ask that you include personal anecdotes to emphasize your points. Too many times, writing doesn’t really communicate what the writer intended. Take the time to review your work carefully before submitting the application.
- You must submit your essay on or before May 31, 2022
- All applications should be sent to scholarship@catdi.com in a Word format only. PDFs or Link to Google Docs will not be accepted.
- You should mention your full name, your university/college name, your phone number, and email address in the scholarship application.
- The essay should be unique and creative, however, it must be YOUR work, as plagiarism will not be tolerated.
- You should not provide any other information other than that mentioned above.
- The winners will be announced on June 15th, 2022, and the winner will be notified by email. Should the winner not respond in 14 days, a new winner will be selected.
Privacy Policy for Scholarship

NOTE: Catdi’s Privacy Policy for all scholarship applicants’ submissions ensures personal information will never be shared and is for our own internal use only. No information collected during this process will be given to 3rd parties, but Catdi Printing reserves the right to use the submitted articles as we wish.

***Updated***

We have extended the deadline for the Fall application due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The deadline is now May 31, 2022. In addition to the scholarship@catdi.com email address users can also email their submissions to carlos@catdi.com
April 23, 2018
Catdi Printing Encourages Direct Mail Services with Regular Sales and Discounts

Some businesses have forgone direct mail marketing efforts because they don’t believe it is an effective method of getting customers. However, with 98 percent of Americans checking their mail daily, the reach and potential impact of this marketing effort are significant. Additionally, 66 percent of consumers have purchased something because of a direct mail flyer or sales paper.

In an effort to help businesses better realize the effectiveness of direct mail services, Houston Printing Services, Catdi Printing, offer regular sales and discounts for their services.“We understand how difficult it can be to find reliable Houston EDDM Printing Services,” stated company representative Carlos DeSantos. “Printing companies will come and go all the time, which is why we are here and intend to stay. The fact is, we rely on marketing efforts that many other companies have “written off” because we know they work. We want to help businesses utilize direct mail with amazing quality flyers that get the results they want and expect.”

Pressman Working at Catdi Printing

One of the main reasons that direct mail is still an effective marketing effort is because people feel as though it is a more personal method than online sales techniques. This helps consumers feel important, which will then encourage them to make a purchase with the company sending the flyers or sales ads.“In addition to offering Houston Postcard Printing Services with your ads and information on it, we also do this at an affordable price,” continued DeSantos. “Our goal is to provide superior direct mail services to meet the need of modern businesses. This will ensure you get the results you want from the direct mail marketing materials you invest in.”Customers interested in the direct mail marketing services offered by Catdi Printing can learn more by visiting the website.

ABOUT CATDI PRINTING

Catdi Printing is one of the biggest and strongest marketing networks available today. The company offers an array of channels to ensure clients receive the most exposure possible for an affordable price. The goal of the company is to continue bridging the gap to help clients gain ground by building awareness for their brand. The network of Catdi Printing is extremely diverse and is able to harness the full power of the Internet to attract more customers than other, similar companies. The services offered by this company are available 24/7 to ensure that businesses can get the marketing products they need when they are needed.

March 25, 2018